CONTACT Kate Allport Community Officer 01225 787912 Email FUNDERS Bath and North East Somerset Council Environment Practice Team, Sainsbury's Family Trusts

biodiversity twinning project

If you go down to the woods today..

St Michael's Junior School in Twerton, Bath has taken part in a range of activities at the local Carr's Woodland. A number of the children had not visited this beautiful woodland before.

Activities involved a guided walk around the woodland learning more about the history of the site over the past 150 years, a fascinating hunt for mini-beasts amongst the gnarly roots of the beech trees in the ancient woodland and an energetic and enthusiastic game of the specially devised Carr's Woodland version of 'Spider' on the open meadow.

St Michael's school followed the day in the woods with a whole week of work focused on the woodland and the environmental challenges that it faces. The week culminated in a school assembly where all classes showcased their posters and leaflets on the problem of litter on the site and their personally devised plays, songs and drama sketches.

A range of the school's work will be displayed in the foyer of Green Park Station soon.

Further activities are planned for the site including an arts project that the schools is going to be closely involved in.

Case study - Bathford Primary School

Louise Douglas gets wet wellies!

At Bathford Primary School the whole school has been involved in imaginative activities at both Brown's Folly reserve and the local river. Many of the children had not visited their local river or wood before but now have a much greater understanding and appreciation for the environment they have right on their doorstep.

"The bit I liked best was looking at the bugs and all the different nature", was Jake's (aged 8) conclusion after his visit to Brown's Folly reserve.

"At my old school we didn't go out and its much better here",added Jessica, aged 8.

Jake and Jessica along with the rest of their class from Bathford school were following a mysterious story which led them to the rare horseshoe bat's cave, learning about wildlife, plants and maps along the way.

On the heights of Brown's Folly came the swelling sounds of the woodland orchestra as the trembling butterfly emerged from its chrysalis. Class 1 were learning about the butterfly life-cycle through environmental drama and music. By taking children into a living, breathing, action-filled environment, where real animals could be seen, touched, smelt and explored, this project gave them the opportunity to learn about the biodiversity on their doorstep in a truly memorable and meaningful way.

Biodiversity Twinning is a project in partnership between envolve and Avon Wildlife Trust. Funded by Bath and North East Somerset Council Environment Practice Team and Sainsbury's Family Trusts.